The Linux and Unix Menagerie: Back To Basics: Getting File Information Using Perl's Stat Function

Hey there,

Today we're going take a (somewhat) beginner's look at extracting lots of useful information from files on Linux or Unix using Perl. More specifically, we'll be using Perl's stat() function. If you're a regular reader, you've probably noticed that we've strayed quite a bit from our original motto (which is screaming in the meta-description tag of every page ;) which is to keep up a blog that appeals to Linux and Unix users and/or admins of any skill level. Lately, we kind of feel like we've neglected the folks newer to the Linux/Unix world. Perhaps we're wrong. We're obviously confused. Perhaps, the next time we start a blog we'll be bit more specific about the subject matter. That being said, we've made our beds and have resigned to lie in them, since the floor is getting uncomfortable again ;)

Today we're going to take a brief introductory look at Perl's stat() function and how you can use it to extract lots of useful information from files, directories, etc (actually, everything in Linux/Unix is a "file" of a certain type). It's incredibly easy to use and, even if you've never used Perl before, very easy to implement. If you're still stuck at the Shebang line in point of reference to Perl/shell scripting, check out that post, as we hope it provides a good base for one of the things you're most likely to find in a Perl or shell script. It also goes beyond just scripting and attacks some other basic concepts.

Here's a very simple Perl script (which, as demonstrated, can be written on the command line as well) that will let you know the user id and group id associated with a particular file. We won't be exploring stat() completely in this post. just enough to get you started and comfortable (you could get the same information by running "ls -l" instead of just "ls," but that would defeat the purpose, right? ;):

host # ls
file.txt
host # perl -e '$file="file.txt";($dev,$ino,$mode,$nlink,$uid,$gid,$rdev,$size,$atime,$mtime,$ctime,$blksize,$blocks)=stat($file);print "$file : User: $uid - Group: $gid\n"';
file.txt : User: 1000 - Group: 513

Your output may vary depending on what flavour of Linux or Unix you're using. In script format, this command line would look this way (not really all the much different, but, perhaps, easier to read):

#!/usr/bin/perl

$file="file.txt";
($dev,$ino,$mode,$nlink,$uid,$gid,$rdev,$size,$atime,$mtime,$ctime,$blksize,$blocks)=stat($file);
print "$file : User: $uid - Group: $gid\n"';

When you run this (after giving it execute permission for the user - you :) - ) you get the same result (assuming you called it file.pl):

host# ./file.pl
file.txt : User: 1000 - Group: 513

Granted, today's examples were rudimentary for anyone who's had experience with Perl's functionality and the Unix/Linux shell, but, in this on and off series, we're going to take it a bit slow (we'll probably build on this post every two or three other posts). This is in no way an attempt to dumb-down the blog, just to get back to basics. Think of it as a bracing slap in the face we're giving ourselves to remind us that this blog isn't all about higher concepts.

All of us here, at one point, didn't know what Linux or Unix was, much less how to make any use of it. This interweaving series is for those of you who are just getting started (just like everyone in the business did at some point :)

We look forward to getting more into it. Perhaps the learning curve will be surprisingly fast. At the rate our children are picking up on computers, perhaps the transfer of knowledge won't be quite as difficult as it was in our day. Who can say? We don't know, but we're positive that, as soon as they can, they will ;)

In our next post in this series, we'll look at the components of the Perl stat() function and the rest of the information you can gather from it. Hopefully this post has been easily digestible enough to act as an introduction. If not, please contact us (via the link at the right hand top of every page) and let us know. We write a lot for ourselves (especially Mike, who thinks everything that makes him laugh is funny to everyone else in the entire universe ;), but are committed to providing useful information for you :)

Cheers,

, Mike